London Welsh riding high and marching on

If their five-try, bonus-point triumph against a team one off the bottom was expected, it made up for the slip-up against the same club in a cup match in 2019. It also meant they are now four points clear at the top.

With three teams due to be promoted at the end of the season the even better news is they have an 11 point cushion over fourth placed Hammersmith & Fulham.

This weekend they head to mid-table Guildford.

The Exiles were thrown out of the RFU Championship after going into liquidation under a mountain of debt brought on during a troubled time in the Premiership and a fateful move to the Kassam Stadium, in Oxford. They found themselves relegated nine divisions to Herts/Middlesex 1 four years ago, taking over the lowly position in which their amateur side were playing.

That brought about a re-think at the club and ‘Project Reset’ was born. That created a plan for four promotions in five seasons.

To date they have picked up three on the bounce and are now hunting a fourth in four years. If they can hold onto a place in the top three in their current league then they will make it four promotions in as many years.

The next stop on their climb up the RFU league ladder is on the 16-strong London & South East Premier.

From there it is National League 1 (16), the Championship (12) and finally the Premiership (13). It is only when you reach National League 1 status that you find any of London Welsh’s traditional rivals – Blackheath, Richmond and Birmingham Moseley.

Cai Griffiths’ side are now just ahead of the game plan from ‘Project Reset’ and recruitment for this latest step-up has been good. Last weekend saw giant lock Ed Couzens make his debut having transferred from Llanelli and former Wales Sevens cap Luke Crocker is due to come off the injury list shortly.

THE LONDON WELSH LEAGUE REVIVAL